The evening world., 1887-12-09

Nv 'bltlNtJ tNht u \ y y . NJ N COTH-
petitive examination of all the applicants for the
position Of musical prodigy would be held. and he
requested all the alleged talent to be on hand.
Long before this time, papas leading boys and
mSinmas conducting girls fled into the house and
seated themselves In the auditorium. They were
nice enough to look at Unfortunately a prodigy
doesn't bear any intimanon on his face that he Is
such, and for a few momcnts felt elated by the
thought that there was a possibility OF discovering
twelve or thirteen.
" should hare to diminish Abbey's business
with young Hofmann at the Metropolitan Opera
House." said Lew Dockstader suaveiy. "Still, you
know, business Is business. Abbey can get even
with me II he likes by starting an opposition
minstrel show"
Each of the boys and girls had brought music,
except a little lad who sat In one of the boxes.
Some Of the applicants had long since ceased to be
children, and as young Hoffman, has marked the
line OF prodlgiousntss (you understand y at ten,
they must have thought their playing would out
Holman IIofmann.
MT. Dockstader mounted upon the stage, cast
his eyes over the assembiage and then announced
that the successful candidate would be the one who
played the best for his age.
INF. Gavino Granville will FIRST favor u.s. he
said. "Mr. Granville ia twelve years old. Come
up, Mr.. Granville, prithee come up" you see,
Dockstader was in a very good temper as he thought
OF possibilities. 80 he could afford to be funny
The little boy got up on the stage ana showed
Dockstader the piece he intended to play. 1t was
a sonata by Kuhlan. Dockstader pronounced it
u sonnyteer by Kuhlan, but his specially is not
classical music.
Poor little Granville! He meant so well, but his
equal as a pianist could have been found among
the pupils Of almost any teacher In the city. He
was painfully mediocre. Why on earth he should
have been told he was a prodigy is something l
can't understand. Practise, Gavino, and for good
ness sake practise hard II you want to be an ordi-
narily good pianist.
Then came little Gussie Kent, q nice child ten
years old. Who told her she was O prodigy l
would like to know. Gussie ought to work hard at
her scales. The child played some stupid jiggy
thing just as nine little girls out Of ten would have
played 1t.
An intelligent looking boy, ten years old, named
Albert Weinstein, was the next performer, and he
was really good. His execution was capital, his
touch sure, and his method excellent. Little
Weinstein was decidedly out OF the common, but
he wasn't a prodigy. Fond parents may learn in
the course of time that ~prodigie are not to be
found knocking about a city waiting to be invited
to exhibit themselves. Weinstein played the
polacca from Z" Mignon" and one of Scnulnon's
mazourkas. He couldn't improvise. Mr.. Sheppard
gave MIN q theme, but II was q sealed book to him,
His playing was merely a mechanical success.
You should have heard Arthur N. Cohen. / felt
sorry for the poor piano, he pounded 1t TO such an
extent lie was sixteen years old, and should
have known better. saw Dockstader paling. II
he couldn't stand 1t who was interested, how could
1, who wasn't7
'Won't you play us something classical ?" said
Dockstader. "'only a / ansy Blossom or some
equally beautiful gem 2" But the young man was
deaf. He went on like a dozen of Tennyson's
brooks. "Drop q nickel in the box and the ma
chinery will work, =" mu,tered Dockstader.
. James Mullen, a big boy with q red face,
thumped away for ten minutes, deadening the
pain OF the performance by the noise; Max Witt, a
little boy with a white face, did his feeble best; W..
j. Hynes made me wish / had never been born; q
charming little girl named Fannie Naegeli, whose
father called her a prodigy, played in 30 palpably
imperfect a manner that every one stared at the
father. and a colored youth, nineteen years of age,
gave a polka that would doubtless be considered
wonderful In society.
1t was anything but IN agreeable afternoon, l
can assure you. Weinstein was the best. There
Is a possibility that Dockstader will engage him!
i hope no more ~prodigies will want TO be heard.
i intend writing u story for children making the
good boy one who never played the plano. and The
bad one the youth who ~practised and thought he
was a prodigy. Something must be done. The
future looks black. Why, oh, why, did Josef
Homann come over here: ALAN DALE.
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